Cannabis Excise Tax Offers Renewed Funding for Rural Landowners

SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jim Wood’s (D-Healdsburg) proposed cannabis excise tax AB 2243 passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee today. The bill moves next to the Senate Appropriations Committee before finally reaching the Senate Floor.

“Right before the vote on the Assembly Floor we made some great amendments that will help our rural communities, I feel really good about our chances moving forward," said Wood.

Broadband Map Act Now Mandates New Conduits

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Wood’s (D-Healdsburg) Broadband Map Act, AB 1549, has undergone significant amendments expanding the scope of the bill, helping to ensure all Californians have access to modern communication technology.

AB 1549 would create a centralized database detailing where conduits available for fiber-optic cables are laid throughout the state.  Recently, the bill was amended to require Caltrans to notify local broadband providers when they plan to open a trench capable of housing conduit.  If there is no interest from private companies, Caltrans will install a conduit for future use.

Cannabis Excise Tax Approved by State Assembly

Assemblyman Jim Wood's proposed cannabis excise tax AB 2243 won a major victory today passing the Assembly with 60 votes. Any new tax in California requires the support of 2/3 of each house (54 votes in the Assembly) necessitating support from both Democrats and Republicans.

Assemblyman Wood said, “I have worked from day one to ensure our rural communities have the resources we need to prevent, and cleanup the environmental catastrophe currently underway in our forests and watersheds.  This excise tax was part of AB 243 last year and was ultimately pulled at the last minute; this victory today is a huge step forward.”

Cottage Cannabis Farmer Bill Clears State Assembly

Sacramento – Today, Assemblyman Jim Wood’s “Cottage Cannabis Farmers Bill” passed the Assembly.  AB 2516 will create a new medical cannabis cultivator license for “micro farmers”.

California Goes Tobacco 21

SACRAMENTO – Today Governor Jerry Brown signed SB2X-7 raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 for the nearly 40 million people living in California. 

Wood says Tobacco Smoke and Cannabis Smoke Should be Treated Equal

Sacramento Today, Assemblyman Jim Wood presented a bill that would ensure landlords have the authority to prohibit tenants from smoking medical cannabis in a rented residence.  AB2300 passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously 10-0 today.

“This is about protecting families that live in close proximity to others,” said Wood.  “Second hand smoke can be a real problem, especially for families who live in apartments or other multi-family residencies.”

Cannabis Excise Tax Clears First Big Hurdle

Assemblyman Jim Wood’s proposed excise tax AB 2243 was approved by the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee today 5-0 with Republicans not voting. The excise tax was originally proposed as part of Wood’s Marijuana Watershed Protection Act last year before ultimately being dropped as part of the agreement that ultimately led to the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act.

Assemblyman Wood said, “An excise tax will ensure the revenue stays in the communities where the cannabis is grown.  Our goal is to create resources to manage the environmental and public safety problems we are battling.”